Compact slitting mechanism

ABSTRACT

A compact slitting mechanism for positioning in close predetermined spaced relation for narrow width slitting, including novel pressure chambers and knife-holding and aligning mechanisms, enabling the slitting knives to be mounted in close contiguous, aligned relation.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 iani et al.

United States Patent [1 1 Mastr X 0 56 3 so .3 8

Carter.....

Gelleke......

Mastriani Burk et al...... Wingen.......... Schofield G l N T. f. l

u m m S o a F g nives to be mounted in close contiguous, aligned relation.

ABSTRACT 21 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sommers & Sommers A compact slitting mechanism for positioning in close predetermined spaced relation for narrow width slitting, including novel pressure chambers and knifeholding and aligning mechanisms, enabling the slittin k lillllllllliill 83/698; 83/926 G B26D 1/02; B26D l/22 ,871, June 11,

ii- Ill I III llIllI l ll lll L [22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 422,433

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 258

1972, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 83/505; 83/481;

[51] Int. [58] Field of Search [56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS -U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,921,488

U.S. Patent N0v.25, 1975 Sheet20f4 3,921,488

FIGA

FIG.5

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,921,488

FIG.7 FIG.8

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet4of4 3,921,488

FIG. 10

VII ll'ullL FIG. 11

COMPACT SLITTING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 258,871 filed June 11, 1972, now abandoned, for Compact Slitting Mechanism, which application is assigned to the same assignee as the instant application.

This invention relates to web scoring, slitting mechanisms. The object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages of prior art structures intended for the same use, wherein the knife positioning and actuating mechanisms were bulky, unwieldy, complex structures, making it difficult to position a plurality of knives in parallel, sufficiently close center-to-center relation, adjacent each other to achieve narrow slitting, an important objective sought in this art.

The present invention solves the problem by providing a highly efficient, compact mechanism for achieving narrow slitting, by novel means including the use of tear-shaped pressure chambers and means to mount them in alternate up-down-up interfitting relation, the piston rods serving as the axes for so mounting the pressure chambers while the rods are disposed in straightline relation.

The invention further includes novel means for mounting and actuating each piston to which in turn the scoring knife is secured so that each pressure chamber may be rotated on the piston rod, to position the pressure chambers in complementary parallel closely spaced interfitting position, disposing the knives carried by the piston rods in immediately adjacent, close parallel relation for narrow slitting purposes. Thus pressure chambers of this invention are of the desired substantial cross-sectional dimensions and are spaced apart center-to-center at a substantially greater distance than the spacing of the rods, which may be very closely spaced to thereby achieve close slitting.

The invention further provides novel means for mounting the knives in an arrangement such that each knife is further essentially fully exposed to the ambient atmosphere for cool running operation and for reducing friction to a minimum. The invention further facilitates cleaning of the knife by an air blast or other means to remove dust and foreign matter which may accumulate.

The invention also enables any of a plurality of knives to be simply and selectively mounted, removed and replaced from time to time and for readily adding and subtracting scoring assemblies as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, in the appended drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view, taken on line l-l of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of an end portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 10, showing a typical platen 54 in association with which the mechanism may be used;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view, taken at line 33 of FIG. 12 and 3--3 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of an assembly of five score knife mechanisms embodying the invention;

FIG. 5 is a similar and elevational view of an assembly including three such mechanisms;

FIG. 6 is a similar view of an assembly of larger number of such mechanisms embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, taken at line 77 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of a further form of the invention, taken at line 8-8 of FIG. 9, wherein the pressure chambers are provided with more than one piston; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 10 is a. side elevational, partly sectional and partly fragmentary view of a compact, self-contained scoring mechanism embodying the invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, elevational view of pressure means which may be used in association therewith;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view, taken on line 12l2 of FIG. 10;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings, the knife mechanism of this invention is adapted for mounting a scoring knife or knives 25, for example, for web or sheet scoring purposes (FIG. 2)'on reciprocating the knives. Said knives are mounted on piston rods 19 of pressure chambers 24 of teardrop outline (FIGS. 10, 4, 5, 6 and 8) of the invention. The teardrop outline of the pressure chambers of this invention enables them to be proportioned to achieve the high square-inch pressure area desirable for driving the pistons, while enabling a series of such pressure chambers to be assembled in adjacent updown-up interfitting or staggered relation (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8). Thus a large maximum pressure-chamber area is achieved for actuation of the piston rods 19 (FIG. 6) which in turn are disposed in straight line closely adjacent lateral arrangement, thus mounting the knives closely adjacent each other for narrow web slitting purposes.

The pressure chamber 24 may be actuated from a suitable pressure source such as, for example, a source of compressed air or other power source, such as manifold 44 (FIG. 11) coupled to chamber 24 by suitable means (FIG. 1 1) such as plug, socket and ferrule mechanisms 37, 38, 40 and connector 39.

Cap 12 is (FIG. 10) mounted in the pressure chamber 24 and piston rod 19, secured thereto, is mounted in the rod support 13 in any suitable manner, for example by roll pin 29. A piston return spring 28 and spring guide pin 36 may be positioned intermediate cap 12 and rod support 13 and the plate 23 closing the forward end of the pressure chamber 24 and mounted thereon by means 30. Pivot bushing 22 may be mounted on and further seals the opening in plate 23 for rod 19. Rod pivot block 21 may be secured, as by pins 34, in the knife support casing 14. The outer end of piston rod 19 may be secured as at 32 to the head of block 50, which is secured to and intermediate the spaced parallel side walls of the knife holder 17 defining a slot therebetween wherein the knife may be reciprocated responsive to reciprocation of the rod 19. Said parts are thus secured together for slidably positioning the score knife holder on the upper edges of the knife support casing 14. The depending portion 50 of block 50 is slidably disposed intermediate the parallel sides of knife casing l4 and is secured as at 31 to the block 50 and has a pin 51 extending therethrough and into slots 57 in the side of knife casing 14 to guide the knife assembly on reciprocation of the piston rod 19.

The pressure chamber 24, by virtue of its teardrop contours of configurations, may be rotated to alternate up or down position as desired to stagger or interfit the pressure chambers by rotating the pressure chambers on the axes of the piston rods 19.

The rod 19 is keyed to block 21 by locking means 33, the rod pivot block 21 being, in turn secured, as at 34, to the knife casing 14. The knife casing 14 may be mounted on any desired or convenient flat support surface, such as a plate or other base 52 (FIGS. 10, 2, 3, 6), to which the knife casings may be secured by any suitable means in adjacent parallel relation. When so secured, the rods will thereby be positioned in closely spaced alignment; the spacing of the knives, being very narrow, provides a mechanism highly useful and efficient for web scoring purposes.

The spacing of the centers of adjacent (disposed alternately up and down) pressure chambers is shown as double that of the spacing of the piston rods, thus enably utilization of pressure chambers of desired large square inch cross-sectional area, to achieve high pressure values for actuation of the pistons, while enabling narrow spacing of the pistons and thus the knives for narrow web scoring, slitting purposes.

As shown in FIG. 10, the outer end of the score knife holder 17 is provided with preferably angular upper and lower slitted portions 42, 43 and axle 16 of scoring knife 25 may further be provided with bearings 26. The (wider) upper portion 42 of the slot is proportioned to serve as a journal in which the axle and thus the knife may rotate, and the axle 16 may have desired snap fit interengagement therewith, while the lower portion 43 may be narrower to facilitate spreading the slits for entry of the axle while preventing excess downward movement thereof. Thus knives 25 may be readily individually, selectively snap-fit or inserted into the knife holders 17 and may be removed from the knife holder 17 without disturbing the rest of the assembly.

In operation the knife is exposed to the air except for its particular point of contact with the web on platen 54 (FIG. 2) and thus is self-cleaning and may be readily further cleaned if desired -by a blast of air or other means. The side walls of knife support 14 are spaced to define an axial slot 57 (FIG. 3) to be engaged by the knife holder 17 and the shank 50 of block 50 (FIG.

The knife holder 17 slides on the upper edges of said side walls of the knife support 14 for guided reciprocation on the knife support 14 on actuation of the piston rod 19 as above described.

Pursuant to the invention, an assembly (FIG. 7) of a plurality of such knife mechanisms may be positioned in close, contiguous relation and actuated by pressure chambers of substantial cross-sectional dimensions, providing a highly efficient and practical mechanism.

A plurality of the units of the invention may be assembled in contiguous relation, for example (FIGS. 2 and 3) by using an elongated wedge block 52 which may have parallel downwardly tapered sides 53, 53 (FIG. 2) one of which, for example, may have engagement with L slot 55 at the bottom of the knife support casing 14; the other block side 53' may be engaged by any means for wedging or securing the knife casing and block together. To that end, a clamp may be pivotally secured as at 35 to knife support 14, and (FIGS. 10, 2) an axially movable member 27 (such as a screw) journalled in and engaging a complementary (such as an internally threaded) portion 56 (FIG. 10) of the support 14 for movement against the pivoted clamp to move the latter and thereby lock or wedge the support 14 on the base 52. By this means knife assemblies of the invention may be readily secured to base 52 in the number desired and individual units may be added to and removed and replaced as desired in a simple and highly efficient manner.

Other teardrop shapes for the chamber 24 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with depending tab portions 45 to facilitate movement of the chambers and so that the end portions 23 thereof may be bolted or otherwise secured to the chambers clear of the screws 27.

In the form shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 each chamber 24 may be provided with a plurality of pistons 19 which, in turn, may be secured or connected to a piston plate 59 for actuating the piston rod 19 (in that form of the invention secured to the plate 59); the other parts of the form shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may correspond with the above description of the devices of the other figures operating in the same manner.

As will be noted from FIG. 3 the knife casing 14 is provided with spaced parallel walls and the knife 25 and knife holder 17 reciprocate in axial planar sliding relation to the casing 14 responsive to movement of the piston rod 19 on actuation of the power source (such as the pressure chamber 24). The knife holder 17 and casing 14 have relative axial sliding interengaging pin and slot means (50 50, FIG. 10) for registration of the parts and to limit the axial movement thereof.

While the present invention has been particularly set forth in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be evident in view of the instant disclosure, that numerous variations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art, which variations in propriety are yet within the true scope of this teaching. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed, and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A score knife mechanism for connection with a pressure source, comprising:

a. a pressure chamber of generally tear-shape crosssectional form;

b. a piston in said chamber and a rod connected to said piston and extending from said chamber for movement responsive to pressure admitted into said chamber from the pressure source;

c. a score knife holding member and means to secure a knife for scoring purposes to said holder member; and

d. means for connecting said rod to said score knife holder member for movement thereof with the rod.

2. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said means to secure a knife to said holder member being means for removably so securing said knife thereto.

3. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, means for joumalling the piston rod in the mechanism, whereby the chamber may be rotated on the axis of the piston rod from a position interfitting a plurality of said pressure chambers with their pistons in direct lateral line to enable the score knives to be positioned in closely spaced reltation for narrow scoring purposes.

4. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said score knife holding member being provided with a slitted portion opening at an angle for removable reception of the knife.

5. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 4, said slit being forwardly, upwardly inclined.

6. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 4, said knife having an extending axle for interfitting relation with the slit of the knife holding member.

7. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 4, said slitted portion having a lower section of narrower width than the upper section.

8. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a plate for mounting said mechanism and complementary means for engaging the plate and knife holder members to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate.

9. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a mounting plate for said mechanism and complementary means on the plate and knife holder member to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate, said complementary means comprising interfitting contours.

10. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a plate for mounting said mechanism, a knife casing and complementary means on the plate and knife casing to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate, said complementary means comprising forming the plate and knife casing with wedgeshaped contours.

11. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a mounting plate for said mechanism, a knife casing and complementary means on the plate and knife casing to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate, said complementary means comprising forming the plate and knife casing with interfitting contours and means engaging the knife casing and the plate for securing the knife casing to the plate.

12. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a rod pivot block secured to the knife casing, and means engaging said pivot block and said rod to lock the rod to the pivot block.

13. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a knife casing, a shaped slot formed in said knife casing and a plate for mounting said mechanism complemen- 6 tarily contoured to said slot for interfitting positioning thereof in said slot.

14. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 13, means movably secured to said knife support casing for engaging said plate to secure said casing to the plate.

15. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 13, said support plate being provided with a tapered side and said knife support casing being complementarily recessed for interengagement with said plate.

16. In a score knife mechanism 'as set forth in claim 13, means movably secured to knife support casing for engaging said plate to wedge the plate and casing together.

17. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 16, said means so movably secured to said knife support being adjustably axially movable in said knife support against said plate to so wedge said plate and casing together.

18. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a block secured to the score knife holding member and depending therefrom and the knife casing having a slot therein to receive said block for guiding the knife assembly on reciprocation thereof on the knife casing responsive to reciprocation of the piston rod.

19. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said score knife holding member comprising a pair of plates secured together in parallel spaced relation to define an intermediate slot for reciprocation of the knife therein.

20. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said score knife holding member having an axial slit for reciprocation of the knife therein and means secured to said piston rod and engaging said knife for reciprocating said knife in said slot on reciprocation of said rod.

21. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a knife casing and a score knife holding member engaging the knife casing for guiding the knife assembly on reciprocation thereof on the knife casing responsive to reciprocation of the piston rod.

l l l 

1. A score knife mechanism for connection with a pressure source, comprising: a. a pressure chamber of generally tear-shape cross-sectional form; b. a piston in said chamber and a rod connected to said piston and extending from said chamber for movement responsive to pressure admitted into said chamber from the pressure source; c. a score knife holding member and means to secure a knife for scoring purposes to said holder member; and d. means for connecting said rod to said score knife holder member for movement thereof with the rod.
 2. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said means to secure a knife to said holder member being means for removably so securing said knife thereto.
 3. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, means for journalling the piston rod in the mechanism, whereby the chamber may be rotated on the axis of the piston rod from a position interfitting a plurality of said pressure chambers with their pistons in direct lateral line to enable the score knives to be positioned in closely spaced reltation for narrow scoring purposes.
 4. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said score knife holding member being provided with a slitted portion opening at an angle for removable reception of the knife.
 5. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 4, said slit being forwardly, upwardly inclined.
 6. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 4, said knife having an extending axle for interfitting relation with the slit of the knife holding member.
 7. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 4, said slitted portion having a lower section of narrower width than the upper section.
 8. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a plate for mounting said mechanism and complementary means for engaging the plate and knife holder members to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate.
 9. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a mounting plate for said mechanism and complementary means on the plate and knife holder member to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate, said complementary means comprising interfitting contours.
 10. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a plate for mounting said mechanism, a knife casing and complementary means on the plate and knife casing to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate, said complementary means comprising forming the plate and knife casing with wedge-shaped contours.
 11. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a mounting plate for said mechanism, a knife casing and complementary means on the plate and knife casing to secure the latter and thereby the knife mechanism to said plate, said complementary means comprising forming the plate and knife casing with interfitting contouRs and means engaging the knife casing and the plate for securing the knife casing to the plate.
 12. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a rod pivot block secured to the knife casing, and means engaging said pivot block and said rod to lock the rod to the pivot block.
 13. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a knife casing, a shaped slot formed in said knife casing and a plate for mounting said mechanism complementarily contoured to said slot for interfitting positioning thereof in said slot.
 14. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 13, means movably secured to said knife support casing for engaging said plate to secure said casing to the plate.
 15. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 13, said support plate being provided with a tapered side and said knife support casing being complementarily recessed for interengagement with said plate.
 16. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 13, means movably secured to knife support casing for engaging said plate to wedge the plate and casing together.
 17. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 16, said means so movably secured to said knife support being adjustably axially movable in said knife support against said plate to so wedge said plate and casing together.
 18. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a block secured to the score knife holding member and depending therefrom and the knife casing having a slot therein to receive said block for guiding the knife assembly on reciprocation thereof on the knife casing responsive to reciprocation of the piston rod.
 19. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said score knife holding member comprising a pair of plates secured together in parallel spaced relation to define an intermediate slot for reciprocation of the knife therein.
 20. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said score knife holding member having an axial slit for reciprocation of the knife therein and means secured to said piston rod and engaging said knife for reciprocating said knife in said slot on reciprocation of said rod.
 21. In a score knife mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a knife casing and a score knife holding member engaging the knife casing for guiding the knife assembly on reciprocation thereof on the knife casing responsive to reciprocation of the piston rod. 